The situation in Lebanon is currently tense, with widespread panic among the population. A series of explosions involving electronic devices like TVs, refrigerators, pagers, and walkie-talkies have been reported, causing fear and confusion. Many residents are removing batteries from their devices as a precaution. The Lebanese military has also been seen destroying bags of rice, fearing they might contain hidden explosives.
Social media is flooded with videos from Lebanese citizens claiming explosions in various electronic devices, including fingerprint locks and kitchen appliances. This follows an incident during a Hezbollah commander’s funeral where multiple walkie-talkies exploded, resulting in the death of 14 people and injuring around 450 others. Previously, explosions in pagers had caused the deaths of at least 8 people and injured over 2800.
🚨🇱🇧 WIDE SCALE TERRORIST ATTACK ON LEBANON
Thousands of pagers simultaneously exploded all over the country, causing mass injuries, and 8 deaths so far. pic.twitter.com/JdmLQsG83f
— Expat Vibes (@expatvibes) September 17, 2024
According to AP reports, funerals for three Hezbollah members and a child killed in earlier pager explosions were disrupted by further blasts from walkie-talkies and solar devices, with some explosions being powerful enough to destroy a car and a mobile phone shop.
The Lebanese official news agency also reported explosions in solar systems in homes in Beirut and southern Lebanon, injuring at least one girl. Amidst these events, tensions between Israel and Hezbollah have escalated, raising fears of a new conflict. In response, Israel has increased its military presence along its border with Lebanon.
With reporting by AP and AFP
